Apprentice star Ruth Badger supporting Manchester children’s cancer charity in world record Can Can attempt

Apprentice star Ruth Badger supporting Manchester children’s cancer charity in world record Can Can attempt

The Apprentice star Ruth Badger is throwing her support behind Salford-based children’s cancer charity KidsCan, and is urging Mancunians to do the same.

KidsCan is the only UK charity set up specifically to support research into new and improved treatments for children with cancer.

Each year, one in every 500 children will be diagnosed with cancer and one in five of these children won’t survive.

Speaking at a Champagne afternoon hosted by the charity at the Lowry Hotel yesterday, the woman who Sir Alan Sugar dubbed ‘The Nightmare’ welcomed the efforts to tackle the issue.

Ruth said: “Any support I can give to help KidsCan grow is so important to me, especially because of the research and development they carry out.

“When you look at the stats of cancer survival rates for children, the work KidsCan does is absolutely essential.”

Originally from Wolverhampton, Ruth has lived in Manchester since before she gained national recognition as a straight-talking, highly motivated businesswoman on the second series of The Apprentice.

“I decided to choose a charity in the Midlands and in Manchester; the Midlands because that’s where I’m from but Manchester because that’s where my heart is,” she added.

KidsCan, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, are planning an attempt to break a Guinness World Record by hosting the largest ever Can Can dance.

The record, held by Irn Bru, currently stands at 1,503 people and the charity are aiming to attracting more than 5,000 to their record attempt on their family fun event on July 1 in Event City.

Holly Bond, fundraising manager for KidsCan, said the record attempt is just one way they are raising money to help fund the charity’s pioneering work.

She said: “We are a small charity with a big vision.

“Cancer in children has traditionally been treated in the same way as cancer in adults, but the long-term side effects of this approach are devastating.

“We are now realising that in the future, these children will suffer the consequences of treatment.”

The charity’s scientists are developing treatments which are less damaging to the bodies of children and young adults, whilst retaining the effectiveness of current methods.

Liz Cooper, stylist for Stella & Dot Jewellery, echoed the importance of getting involved with the charity. The company sell collections of jewellery at KidsCan events such as the Champagne afternnon, and donate a percentage of profit made as well as providing raffle prizes to the charity.

“These children are often so young and I just can’t imagine what they and their parents go through.

The fact that KidsCan are making such an effort to try to eliminate the problem is fantastic,” she said.

The world record attempt is just one of the many ways the charity try to raise funds.

Many of their staff, including Ms Bond, will run the Manchester Marathon to lead by example and encourage support from the public.

Planned fundraising events include abseiling down the Manchester Velodrome, skydives, zorbing, mountain hikes and an annual golf tournament among others

Ruth appealed for the public to provide their support for the charity in their efforts and give up the time to help affected children.

“We want you to go to events like the CanCan events on July 1 and give the kids an afternoon. It’s the contribution as well as the revenue.

“KidsCan is the prevention, not the cure. That’s the key thing.

“That innovation to cure the Big C is one of the biggest things and if we can do anything to stop even one set of parents from hearing that tragic news then it’s massively important.”